Feed mechanism for roller towel cabinets



a m 2 3 Q 8 1 m 9 M a 0 7 m M f 3 S L q! 5 ME 0 2 w m I w A m M 2 Z d/ M3 R. MORRIS FEED MECHANISM FOR ROLLER TOWEL CABINETS Flled July 11, 1.947

Jan. 9, 1951 Jan. 9, 1951 R. MORRIS 2,537,783

FEED MECHANISM FOR ROLLER TOWEL CABINETS Filed July 11, 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 2 44 55 /A//E/vro/?: I ROM/EL MOP/PIS) v HTTORA/ /s,

Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEED MECHANISM FORROLLER TOWEL CABINETS This invention relates to improvements in feedmechanism for roller towel cabinets.

An object of the invention is to provide for use in a roller towelcabinet a feed mechanism whereby selected lengths of toweling may bewithdrawn from a roll of toweling and positioned acces'sible for use,together with means for latching the feed mechanism when a selectedlength of toweling has been withdrawn, and which, upon cessation oftension on the toweling, automatically. unlatches the mechanism in orderthat a successive unused length of toweling may be brought into positionfor use solely by successive pulls and release of tension on thetoweling.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism of thetype designated, whereby the soiled toweling may be easily removed andthe mechanism reloaded with a clean length of toweling.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for guidingthe feed movement of the toweling through the mechanism, whereby thetoweling will be fed evenly and uniformly to present successive, smoothareas of the toweling for use- Another object of the invention is toprovide,

in a mechanism of the type mentioned, improved roller supports for thelength of toweling which will operate with minimum wear on the towelingduring. the feed operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the typestated, which may be economically manufactured, assembled anddisassembled, and which will be efficient and durable m use.

Additional advantages of the invention will appear from the followingdetailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front view of the upper part of the towel cabinet, partsbeing shown dotted, to illustrate the feed mechanism embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a left end elevation, as viewed in Fig. 1, parts being showndotted, of the operating head of the towel cabinet;

Fig. 4 is a right end elevation, as viewed in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig.l;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section taken substantially on the 11ne-l-| ofFig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the latching and unlatchingmechanism at the point in the cycle before it enters latched positionand the position that the parts assume at the end of the feed of theselected length of toweling;

Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 8, with the latching and unlatchingmechanism shown after release of the tension on the towel length, and atthe beginning of the first phase of the feed of a successive length oftoweling;

Fig. 10 is a View illustrating the parts advanced towards a resetting ofthe latching mechanism during intermediate feed of the length of towel-Fig. 11 is a similar view illustrating the parts further advanced andduring the final phase of the feed of the selected length of toweling;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the linel2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line l3l3 of Fig.11; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line i l-44 ofFig. 13.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the frameof the cabinet is shown as including side standards or supports III,which may be extended downwardly and carried by a base (not shown), sothat the operating head of the cabinet may be supported at an elevation,and the cabinet, as a whole, may be portable. There is a table H formedwith front and back flanges l2 bevelled on their inner faces andsupported transversely between the standards If and at the top thereof.The table II is adapted to support the roll of clean toweling, and theflanges I 2 serve to prevent the roll from displacement from its supportby preventing it from rolling over the edges thereof.

The operating head of the cabinet is supported at an elevation above thetable I l by rectangular members [3 extending transversely of each endof the table II.

The case of the head of the cabinet which sup ports the feed mechanismcomprises a pair of end plates Hi and 15 carried by the top edge of themembers l3 at each side of the machine, respectively.

At the back of the case, there is a transverse plate [5 flanged at eachend and supported between the inner faces of the plates [4 and I5. Theupper end of the plate l6 has an inwardly upwardly inclined flange ll,which constitutes a guide for the toweling as it moves to the windingroll for the soiled toweling, as will be later described.

At the front of the case is a flanged inwardly inclined plate i8, whichserves as a guide for the toweling wound on the winding roll.

The construction of the feed mechanism may be best understood bydescribing the parts in the sequence of the movement of the fresh rollof toweling through the mechanism.

A roll of clean toweling is placed loosely onthe table I and isprevented'from rollingout of position by the flanges l2. The free end ofthe toweling is passed between a friction surfaced.

roller 20 and a guide roller bar 2|.

The roller 20, having reduced cylindrical. ex-. tensions 23 and 24forming trunnions, is rotatably mounted in bearings 25 and 25,respectively, in the plates I4 and IS. The member 24 extends through itsbearing to the exterior of the plate l and has a pinion 2'! securedthereto at its extremity.

Reduced extremities of the roller bar 2| extend through laterallyalignedcurved slots 30 and 3| located, respectively, in the plates M and I5.The roller bar 2|- is therefore mounted so that it may be moved towardand away from the roller 2!) as the reduced extensions of said bararemoved downwardly or'upwardly in the slots 30- and 3|. Provisionistherebymade for opening the space between the roller 20 and the rollerbar 2| in order that the free end of the toweling may be easily passedaround the roller 20, the toweling first extending rear-wardiy of theroller and then being carried over the topthereof. A section of thetoweling hangs freely from the upper front segment of the roller 20.After the free end of the toweling-has been thus positioned, the rollerbar 2| is moved to a position adjacent to the. underface of the roller20 and thereby maintains the toweling' in frictional contact with saidroller substantiallyaroundtheentire periphery thereof.

The roller bar H is so mounted and'latched as to maintain this operativeadjustment after the toweling has been passed over the roller 20.

The means for latching the rollerbar 2| and of permitting its releasewhen the" cabinet is loaded comprises a pair of links 33, one beingpivotallyconnected to each of the-r spective extremities of the member2|. Forthis purpose, each end of the'roller bar 2| has. a reducedportion that fits through an opening formedon the forward end of eachlink 33. located against the inner faces'of theside plates I4 and I5adjacent to the-slots and 3|, respectively. Theinnerends of the linksarepivoted, respectively, to forwardly extending armsof a bail: 34, thebail 34 being U-shaped and dimensioned so that its forwardly extendingarms may align with the links 33; The connection-between the arms andthe links is by pivot pins 35. The arms-of thebail 34' are pivoted at 36to the-inner facesof the plates l3 and I4. At the right side of thecabinet a latch pawl 37 is supported upon the inner face of the plate|4- on a pivot pin 38 which extends through the plate to the exteriorface thereof. Onthe outer extremity of the pin 38 there is attached afinger piece 39 so that, by manipulation of the finger piece, the pawlmay be rocked rearwardly from a vertical position, which it assumes bygravity, to an angular position raised from the upper edge of the linkand-bail arm. The pawl 31* has an inwardly extending flange 4i) at itslower extremity which overlies the upper edge of the link and bailatthepoint of its pivot connection when saidparts are extended and liesubstantially horizontal, as

The links areillustrated, for example, in Fig. '7. Horizontally disposedabutment pins 4| limit the downward movement of the linkage. The pawl,therefore, provides a latch device for holding the roller bar 2| inoperative position adjacent to the roller 20. When the pin 38 is rockedby manipulation of the finger piece 39. the toggle connection betweenthe links and the bail arm may be retracted, permitting theextremitiesof, said roller bar to ride upwardly in the curved slots 30 and 3| toopen the space between the roller 20 and the roller bar 2|, providingfree access for mounting the toweling over the roller 20 when thecabinet is being loaded with a fresh roll of towlin When the roller bar2| is in operative adjustment it serves as a pressure bar to insureuniform contact of the toweling with the roller 20 across the facethereof and thus maintains a smooth and even feed of the successivelengths of toweling.

After the toweling has been mounted over. the roller 20, as described,it is extended downwardly in the-space between said roller and: to-,

ward. the baseof the cabinet, and is then looped upwardly-toward. the.back of the cabinet The.

front and back of the loop. hang. substantially verticallysince. theyare guided; against the rela-e tively wide table. H with. its flangesat;itsfront.

andback edge. Thelength of the toweling at:

the frontzof the loop is. of sufficientdimension.

laterally. and longitudinally to provide sufficient towel surface foreach individual use.

Theupperend of. the back of the loop rides over the outer. face of: theplate 16* and of the forwardly inclined flange l1; and: is kept in lat:

eral alignment by a pair of inwardly directed;

front face of the roll and over the top face of a.

frictionroller 4,4;

In order to maintain a smooth feed: of'the length of toweling as it.comes over the guide plate Hiandfiange l1, aroller. bar45 is mounted inforwardly curved slots. and "formed inthe side. plates l4 and I5,respectively. The roller bar 45.1s free tomove in-theses1ots, and whenit-restsin thebottoms thereof the rolleris substantially parallelwiththe face of the flange plates |6|'I at the point the flange curvesinwardly. The roller bar 45 bears, due to its weight, transverselyacross the surface of thetowelingmoving to the winding roll, and therebyholds its edges aligned andit surface smooth so that it will be woundevenly on the roller.

The winding roller 43 has trunnions 48 at each.

end, which trunnions ride in substantially vertical slots 49' so that,as the soiled toweling is rolled on the winding roller, the roller.willrise in theslots. Therefore, the lower surface of the roll B of thesoiled toweling will always be adjacent to the upper; face of the roller44.

The roller 44 is, in fact, a feed roll as it is ro tated by a powertransmission connection with the roller 20.

The roller 44 1s journaled inbearing in the side plates I4 and [5,respectively. At the left.

of the mechanism, there is a reduced extension 50 of the roller 44,which-extensionextendsr Another pair of similar flanges. mayass'mse.

through the plate [5 and has a pinion 5| keyed or otherwise securedthereto.

At the opposite extremity of the roller 54, a bearing assembly isprovided which rotatably supports the roller 44 at that end. The bearingassemblyis of a design that is easily detachable and the details ofwhich are particularly illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14.

This construction includes a metal socket 52 set into the end face ofthe roller 44. This socket has a-recess with flattened sides and curvedtop and bottom with a reduced similar reces at its inner end, as willclearly appear from these views of the drawings.

' A short stud shaft 53 has a flattened section 54 and a reducedflattened inner extremity 55. This member fits into the socket androtates with the-roller 44 in operation, but may be readily removed fromthe socket. Thi device, therefore, permits the roller 44 to be easilydismounted when the soiled roll of toweling is to be removed and thecabinet is to be reloaded and the feed mechanism set up for feeding aclean roll of toweling. "The outer extremity of the stud shaft 53extends through a bushing 56 in the plate l4 and has attached thereto anarm 51 which is an elementof the latching and unlatching mechanism, aswill be later explained.

"It will be remembered from the previous des'cription that, assuccessive lengths of toweling are withdrawn from the clean roll A ofthe toweling by exerting pull in the direction of the arrow a (Fig. 5),the roller 2E3 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow b. Aslong as pull is exerted, the roller 20 rotates and its rotary movementis imparted to the roller M through a chain link connection 60 operatingover the pinion 21 and the pinion 5| mounted, respectively, on theextremity of the roller 20 and the roller 44.

' The latching and unlatching of the feed mechanism is accomplished as aresult of locking and unlocking the roller M for and against rotation.Because of the positive link chain connection 50 between the roller 44and the roller 20, when the former is locked, the latter will likewisebe locked preventing further Withdrawal of the length of toweling untilthe mechanism is unlocked. As the surface of the roller 20 is a frictionsurface, un-

less the roller 20 is in adjustment to revolve, the contact of the innerface of the toweling with the roller 20 will prevent any furtherdownward movement of the toweling when the roller 26 is held againstrotation.

The mechanism for accomplishing this purpose includes a detent devicecomprising plates 6| and 62. The plate 6! is mounted for rocking actionon a-stud shaft 63 extending outwardly from the outer face of the sideplate l4, as shown particularly in Fig. 12, This plate has a lowerinwardly extending arm 64 generally rectangular in shape and locatednear the bottom of the plate. At the top of the plate i a projection 65having a downwardly sloping top wall and an upwardly projectingextension 66. Between the opposing top edge of the extension 64 and thebottom edge of the extension 65 is a substantially U-shaped space of asubstantial depth. The plate 6| is provided with a tail piece in theform of a hook 6'! and a coiled spring 68 is connected over th tailpiece 61 at one end and is attached at it lower end to a pin69 supportedby the plate M. The tendency of the spring is to urge the plate 6! torock in a counterclockwise direction.

The plate 62 is mounted for rocking movement on a stud shaft positionedabove and extendface of the plate Bl so that the plates rock in paralleladjacent planes. The plate 62 has, on

its bottom edge, an integral lug H that extends outwardly at rightangles to the face of the plate and over the top edge of the plate 6!.The arm 51, which is mounted on the extremity of the stud shaft 53, hasan inwardly extending lug 12 which extends inwardly at right angles tothe inner face of the arm and in the plane of the plate 62.

A weight H is formed on the plate 52 urging the plate normally in acounterclockwise direction, that is, until the lower edge Hi of theplate abuts a collar '55 integral with the stud shaft 63. This collaralso acts as a stop for the plate 52 against further clockwise movementwhen the parts are in the position shown in 9.

To trace the cycle of operation of this device, reference may be made toFigs. 4 and 8 to 11 of the drawings.

The starting position is shown in Fig. 9. The plate BI is urgedanticlockwise the spring 58, but its extension 6% strikes the ledge T!on the plate 62, urging that plate clockwise. The clockwise movement ofthe plate 62 is limited by engagement of its extending arm it againstthe collar ?5 on the shaft 63. Hence the two plates are held in fixedpositions In its fixed position, the plate iii is disposed so that itsupper pointed extension 65 is clear of the path of the arm 51,. bottleslower extension 64 is in that path.

When the toweling is drawn outward for mak ing a fresh area available,the rollers 20 and 64 will be rotated, the latter in the direction torotate the shaft 53 and the arm E-l anticlockwise in Figs. 8-11. Duringthe early part of this move ment, the arm 5? will engage the extensionSt on the plate 5!, as shown in Fig. 10, and will rock the plate 6iclockwise, against the spring 68. As the plate (it so moves, theextension 53 thereon will tend to move away from the lug H on the plateE2, and the plate 62 will move anticlockwise under theinfluence of itseccentric weight it. The displacement of the plate 6! by the arm 5? issuflicient to permit the plate 82 to rock to the position of Fig. 11,wherein it stops by en; gaging the collar 55. When the arm 5? passesfrom the extension 6 5 of the plate 6i, that plate has been displacedfar enough so that its top extension 56 engages under the ledge H of theplate 62. This engagement limits further anticlock wise movement of theplate (it by its spring E8, because such tends to rock the plate 62further anticlockwise, which is prevented by the engagement of the end lagainst the collar 7-5. The two plates then stay in these positions.

When the arm 5? substantially completes a revolution, after setting thelatch plates as aforesaid, it assumes the position of Fig. 8. Its ledge32 comes into engagement with the projection '56 of the plate 62, andcontinued counterclockwise rotation of the arm 5'? causes the plate $112to be pivoted in the clockwise direction. As the plate 52 rotates in theclockwise direction, the ledge ii slides off the top of the projection86 and, in the preferred construction shown, at the same time it camsthe latter downwardly a short dis-.. tance so as to rock the plate 5! inthe clockwise, direction. When the ledge is freed from the extension 66,the spring 68 causes the extension 56 to engage the side of the ledge H,as the spring constantly urges the plate s: anticlockwise. However, thenormally continued tension 7.. toweling causes the arm 51 to continueanticlockwise, so that it engages the upp ex tension 65 of: the plat-e Hin a manner to be com phetely stopped. Preferably, the projection I 01the plate 62 remains engaged by the arm il in the stopped position, butthis is not essential where the stopping takes place after the plate 61has moved clockwise to bring its top extension 66 to the side of theledge ll.

When. tension on the toweling, hence torque on the arm 5?, is released,the spring 59 will rock the plate 6! anticlockwise, restoring the partsto the position of Fig. 9.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of themechanism, it will be understood that it fully accomplishes the purposesand has the advantages heretofore stated.

It should be understood that the mechanism, while having been describedin detail, is not limited to specific construction beyond the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dispensing device, a rotating member and mechanism to limit therotation of said member to a predetermined angle, the mechanismincluding a base, a stop member movably mounted on the base, the memberhaving a stop portion engageable by the rotating member to stop rotationthereof, means normally urging the stop member to position wherein itsstop portion is out of the path of movement of the rotating member,means engageable by the rotating member at a predetermined point in itsrotation, to displace the stop member into stopping position to disposeits stop portion in the path of the rotating member at a subsequentpoint in the rotation thereof, holding means to releasably hold the stopmember in said stopping position, and means to release the holding meanswhen the rotating member moves into engagement with the stop ping means,whereby upon release of torque upon the rotating member, the stoppingmember may be moved to withdraw its stopping portion from the path ofthe rotating member.

2. In a dispensing device, a rotating member, a movable stop memberhaving a stopping portion movable into the path of the rotating memberto stop the latter, means operated by the rotating member to apply forceto the stop member to displace it to a position wherein its stop portionis engaged by the rotating member at a subsequent point in its rotation,means lock the stopping member in said locking position, means torelease the locking means when the rotating member moves to stoppedposition, means urging the stop member to position wherein its stoppingportion is withdrawn from the path of the rotating member.

3. In a dispensing device, a rotating member, a movable stop memberhaving a stopping portion movable into the path of the rotating membarto stop the latter, means operated by the rotating member to apply forceto the stop member to displace it to a position wherein its stop portionis engaged by the rotating member at a subsequent point in its rotation,means to lock the stopping member in said locking position, means torelease the locking means including a release element engaged by therotat ng member as it moves into stopped position, means urging thestopping member to a position wherein its stopping portion is withdrawnfrom the path of the rotating member, the release element beingpositioned to efiect release only after the rotating element is adjacentthe stop portion of the stopping member, whereby the latter is. n twithdrawn until a stopping operation is effected, but may be withdrawnupon release of torque on the rotating member.

4 In a dispensing device, a rotating member, a base, a stopping membermovably mounwd on the base, the stopping member having two extensionsmovable into the path of the rotating member at angularly displacedpoints in the rotation, engagement of the first extension by therotating member d splacing the stopping member to position the secondextension in the path of the rotating member, yieldable means urging thestopping member into position wherein the second. extension is withdrawnfrom the said path, mechanism to lock the stopping member in itsposition wherein the second extension is in stopping position, saidmechanism having release means operated when the rotating member movesinto engagement with the stopping portion.

5. In a dispensing device, a rotating member, a base, a stopping membermovably mounted on the base, the stopping member having two extensionsmovable into the path of the rotating member at angularly displacedpoints in the rotation, engagement of the first extension by therotating member displacing the stopping member to position the secondextension in the path of the rotating member, yieldable means urging thestopping member into position wherein the second extension is withdrawnfrom the said path, mechanism to lock the stopping member in itsposition wherein the second extension is in stopping position, saidmechanism including a rockable member movable to interlock with thestopping member, a. projection on the rockable member engageable by therotating member as it moves into stopping position, to displace .therockable member from interlocking position, whereby upon release oftorque upon the rotating member the yieldable means can displace thestopping member to position wherein the second extension is out of thepath of the rotating member.

6. In a dispenser, a rotating member moved in the dispensing operation,a base, a pair of over; lapping rocking members rockably mounted on thebase, the first rocking member having two extensions movable into thepath of the rotating member at different points in the path, yieldablemeans urging the first rocking member to position wherein its firstextension is in the path of the rotating member and its second extensionis outside said path, engagement of the rotating member with the firstextension rocking the first rocking member to stopping position whereinthe second extension is in the path of the rotating member, the secondrocking member having a lock portion interengageable with the firstrocking member, when the first rocking member is in stopping position,means urging the second rocking member to effect said interengagementwhen the first rocking member is in stopping position, the secondrocking member having a projection moved into the path of the rotatingmember adjacent the second extension of the first rocking member, whenthe second rocking member is interengaged with the first, whereby therotating member may effect the release of said interengagement when itmoves to stopping position.

7. In a mechanism of the hind described, a base, a rotating memberrotatable on the base about a center, a rockable stop member and arockable lock member, both mounted on the base for rocking aboutcenters, the three centers forming a triangle, the stop member havingtwo extensions engageable by the rotating member at different points inthe rotation thereof, engagement of the first extension rocking the stopmember to dispose the second extension in the path of the rotatingmember, yieldable means urging the stop member to a release positionwherein the second extension is out of said path, the lock member havinga lock portion overlapping the stop member when the stop member is inrelease position, means urging the lock member to rock oppositely to therocking of the stop member by the yieldable means, said last-namedurging means being weaker than the yieldable'means, the lock portion ofthe lock member being moved into abutting relation with the stop memberwhen the stop member is in stopping position, to lock the stop membertherein, the abutment being to the side of a line between the centers ofthe rockable members toward the center of the rotatable member, the lockmember having a projection extending into the path of the rotatingmember adjacent but in advance of the second extension of the stopmember, whereby the rotating member acts to displace the lock memberfrom abutting engagement with the stop member and is stopped by thelatter.

8. In a dispenser for dispensing limited lengths of elongated material,a frame to receive a supply of material, a first roller mounted on theframe, and around Which the material is rolled, the frame having adischarge outlet and a return inlet between which a quantity of materialmay extend for use, the discharge outlet being subsequent to saidroller, a second roller subsequent to the inlet and across which thematerial is passed to a receiver, means connecting the rollers forrotation of the second when the first is rotated, means to limit theamount of rotation of one roller to fix the amount of material with-"drawn at one time, means to direct the material from the supply againstthe first roller, including a movable guiding member, a support for saidmember pivoted to the casing, the support having first link meansattached to the member, second link means pivoted to the frame and tothe first 10 link means, said two link means being extensible to placethe guiding member in guiding position and collapsible to withdraw thesame, lock means on the frame to prevent collapse of the link means, andmanually engageable means to release the lock means.

9. In a dispenser for dispensing limited lengths of elongated material,a frame to receive a supply of material, a first roller mounted on theframe, and around which the material is rolled, the frame having adischarge outlet and a return inlet between which a quantity of materialmay extend for use, the discharge outlet being subsequent to saidroller, a second roller subsequent to the inlet and across which thematerial is passed to a receiver, means connecting the rollers forrotation of the second when the first is rotated, means to limit theamount of rotation of one roller to fix the amount of material withdrawnat one time, means to direct the material from the supply against thefirst roller, including a movable guiding member, a support for saidmember pivoted to the casing, the support having first link meansattached to the member, second link means pivoted to the frame and tothe first link means, said two link means being extensible to place theguiding member in guiding position and collapsible to withdraw the same,lock means on the frame to prevent collapse of the link means, andmanually engageable means to release the lock means, the guide membercomprising an elongated element having bearings at its opposite ends inthe frame, the frame having slots for displacement of said bearingsduring 001- lapsing and extending movements of the link means.

RAIVHEL MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

